The Future Is Green: Ana Nacvalovaite Of Kellogg College’s Centre for Mutual and Co-owned Business at the University of Oxford, On Their Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet
The key lies in promoting sustainable finance. By encouraging long-term investment strategies that prioritize sustainable value investment (SVI) criteria, we can ensure economic growth doesn’t come at the expense of the planet. This often involves rethinking how we measure growth — moving beyond GDP to include environmental and social well-being indicators.
I had the pleasure of interviewing, Dr Ana Nacvalovaite a Research Fellow at Kellogg College, University of Oxford, where she is investigating the ways in which sovereign wealth funds can unlock social and environmental benefits for the benefit of humanity. She also has extensive experience in guiding investors and businesses on aligning their portfolios with environmental and social objectives, meeting and exceeding the United Nations sustainability goals (UNSDGs).
Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
Thank you for having me. My journey has been anything but linear, and has included experiences from international conflict prevention, child protection in armed conflict, to, ultimately, financial governance.
Early in my career, I worked for a global think tank focused on conflict prevention and resolution, where I saw first-hand how vulnerable children often became the silent victims of political instability and underfunded social initiatives. That experience deeply affected me and ignited a passion for addressing the root causes of systemic inequality.
The 2008 financial crisis was a pivotal moment for me. Watching how financial systems could both destabilize societies and reshape global priorities led me to study sovereign wealth funds. I began to explore how these funds, if managed responsibly, could be powerful tools for addressing underfunded social causes, from education to healthcare.
Now, as a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, I focus on sustainable finance and the governance of sovereign wealth funds. My mission is to help shape financial systems that not only generate profit but also build resilience, foster equitable growth, and invest in the potential of human capital, particularly in communities that have long been overlooked.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? What lessons did you learn from it?
One of the most transformative moments in my career came during a project focused on the governance of sovereign wealth funds in developing nations. While the technical side of my work dealt with policy frameworks and investment structures, the real lessons came from conversations with grassroots organizations, educators, and local leaders.
I met a teacher who shared how a lack of educational funding had limited opportunities for generations of children. This wasn’t just an economic issue, it was a human rights challenge deeply tied to cultural values and the community’s vision for its future. It became clear to me that sustainable finance can only be meaningful if it directly addresses the needs and aspirations of the people it’s meant to serve.
This experience reinforced a vital lesson: meaningful change starts from the grassroots up. Academic research and global policies must be grounded in the lived realities of the communities they aim to support and genuinely empower people and foster sustainable growth.
You are a successful leader. Which three-character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
1. Perseverance: Research is often a long and arduous journey, and perseverance helped me push through setbacks, particularly when dealing with complex policy issues in the study of sovereign wealth funds.
2. Curiosity: My innate curiosity constantly drives me to ask difficult questions about financial governance and its role in sustainability.
3. Empathy: Understanding different stakeholders’ perspectives, from policymakers to local communities, has been crucial in shaping sustainable financial strategies.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How might they help people?
Yes, I’m working on a project exploring how state capital can build more resilient and profitable communities through strategic investments. The focus is on sectors like sustainable infrastructure, education, and renewable energy areas that offer strong returns while fostering local job creation and long-term economic growth. This initiative aims to show that financial success and social impact can go hand in hand, creating stronger, more sustainable communities.
What pivotal moment led you to dedicate your career to sustainability?
A turning point was when I realized how financial systems, if left unchecked, often perpetuate unsustainable practices. During my research on global wealth distribution, it became clear that financial policies could either widen inequality or foster equitable, sustainable growth. That realization solidified my commitment to promoting financial governance that prioritizes sustainability.
Could you describe a groundbreaking project you’ve worked on that contributed to sustainability?
Work focused on the governance of sovereign wealth funds in developing economies, with a central emphasis on human capital development. Traditionally, many sovereign wealth funds have been treated as rainy-day reserves, primarily aimed at stabilizing economies during financial downturns. However, my research aimed to shift this perspective toward using these funds as powerful engines for sustainable development. The core idea was to design investment strategies that prioritized human capital funding education, healthcare, skills training, and infrastructure that directly empower individuals and communities. By embedding these priorities into sovereign wealth funds policies, countries could create long-term economic resilience while fostering innovation, productivity, and social mobility.
How do you navigate the balance between economic growth and environmental preservation?
The key lies in promoting sustainable finance. By encouraging long-term investment strategies that prioritize sustainable value investment (SVI) criteria, we can ensure economic growth doesn’t come at the expense of the planet. This often involves rethinking how we measure growth — moving beyond GDP to include environmental and social well-being indicators.
What emerging technologies hold the most promise for advancing sustainability?
In my opinion the renewable energy technologies, particularly in solar, wind, and battery storage are game changers. Blockchain technology also shows promise in increasing transparency within financial systems, which can lead to more responsible investment practices. Artificial intelligence has potential for optimizing resource use in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.
Can you share your “5 Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet”?
1. Sustainable Finance Reform: Encouraging responsible investment through policies that integrate ESG factors into financial decision-making.
2. Circular Economy Models: Reducing waste by creating systems where resources are reused and recycled.
3. Renewable Energy Investment: Directing financial flows toward clean energy projects globally.
4. Climate Education: Promoting awareness of sustainability issues at all educational levels.
5. Government-Private Sector Partnerships: Fostering collaboration between governments and private investors to fund sustainable infrastructure projects.
What key steps must individuals, communities, and governments take for a sustainable future?
The foundation of a sustainable future lies in investing in human capital. Individuals can focus on education and skill development, fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability in their daily lives. Communities should prioritize initiatives that empower people through access to knowledge, training, and resources, enabling local solutions to global challenges. Governments, in turn, must create policies that invest in education, support workforce development, and hold corporations accountable for sustainable practices. Strengthening human capital at all levels is essential for driving meaningful, long-term systemic change.
If you could start a movement for the greatest good, what would it be?
I do hope that I am already doing that, but I would start a movement to promote impact investment a global initiative focused on aligning financial returns with the broader benefit of humanity and the development of human capital. This movement would encourage investors, institutions, and governments to prioritize sustainable value investments that generate profit while addressing critical social and environmental challenges. By channelling capital into projects that foster education, healthcare, and clean energy, we can create resilient communities and empower individuals to reach their full potential. Ultimately, this approach demonstrates that financial success and positive global impact can and should go hand in hand.
How can readers continue to follow your work online?
You can follow my work on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).
The Future Is Green: Ana Nacvalovaite Of Kellogg College’s Centre for Mutual and Co-owned Business… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.